Parents' Guide to

Peaky Blinders

By Joyce Slaton, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 18+

Brutal violence, sex, and drugs in vintage gang drama.

TV Netflix Drama 2013
Peaky Blinders Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 17+

Based on 30 parent reviews

FutureParent
FutureParent Adult
January 22, 2021
age 18+

Good story. Unnecessary nudity.

I'm a 21yr old male and wouldn't want my kids around this show. Read my main reasons why a mature 16 year old could watch it with wise parents. There's a lot to learn In the movie so read here (no spoilers). Beware lots of alcohol and violence (duh). 16+ should watch with parental guidance. Season 1: sex that doesn't show parts and besides one scene towards the end, it is fine for mature teens. 18+ no exceptions Season 2 episode 1: opens with strippers bare front in the back ground and the next scene is a close up on a fully nude woman. I turned it off and I'm looking into the show to see if there's more sense like this. Season 1: the show seems to focus on moral decay as it shows how the horrible easily fall to complete depravity when compromising their values. It also shows that sometimes, a dark and dangerous man can be used for good. Overalll the show supports a traditional (ish) family scared by weak men and promiscuous members. The show does show dangers of fornication and immoral behavior in society. Abortion is encouraged during a moment where the men leave the women to fend for themselves and a child but the women show that they desire to have a man so they can support the child (not perfect but at least they aren't destroying the family structure). Most violence is necessary and that which is not is somewhat tied to ptsd or irrational behavior. There are several remarks about the immoral behavior of the main character (anti hero) but recognizing that without such a ruthless leader, they would be far worse off. Those are the goods. The bads are... It's a show that exposes you to a lot of evil and suffering. There's some subversion but if you read this far and understand what I've said then you will probably like it. Watch before letting your kids see it.
The Historical Reviewer
The Historical Reviewer Parent of 13, 14 and 15-year-old
October 8, 2023
age 18+

Amazing TV series, but leave the kids out of it! Graphic violence, drugs, alcohol and lots of graphic sex!!

This is great a TV show, but it is for an adult audience only. Full stop! Far too much graphic violence, language, explicit sex and nudity, drugs and alcohol to be viewed by anyone under 18.
See all 30 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In Birmingham, England, in 1919, the PEAKY BLINDERS are known for their lethal habit of sewing razor blades into the brims of their distinctive caps, all the better to head-butt (and maybe blind) their opponents when violence is called for. Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) is the fearless leader of the gang at a moment when it's at a crossroads. After the Blinders steal a cache of guns during a robbery, the gang comes to the attention of Chief Inspector Chester Campbell (Sam Neill), a detective in the Royal Irish Constabulary. Campbell's orders are to find the guns, break up the Blinders, and clean up crime and corruption in Birmingham. On Campbell's side: mysterious Irish colleen Grace Burgess (Annabelle Wallis), who's working as a barmaid in the Blinders' hangout and spying on Tommy for reasons of her own. Campbell also sees rich possibilities in the secretive romance between Tommy's sister Ada (Sophie Rundle) and Tommy's past wartime comrade and current political rival Freddie Thorne (Iddo Goldberg). But Tommy's not going to make it easy for Campbell to push him or his gang out. A war is coming, and how it'll end is anyone's guess.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (30 ):
Kids say (55 ):

Peaky Blinders' very first scenes let mature viewers know they're in for a treat, as a solemn-faced Shelby parades through the grim, gray streets of early 20th-century Birmingham on a sleek black horse, the anachronistic strains of Nick Cave's "Red Right Hand" swelling on the soundtrack. Is murder on his mind? Is he looking for a rival or a romance? Is he about to wreak hell on what looks like a run-down neighborhood? Nope. He's flamboyantly buying the services of a local medium, paying to have a spell cast on his horse so he'll win at the races tomorrow. Does Shelby really believe this spell will make his horse a winner? Nah. He just wants to attract more betting customers.

Peaky Blinders is full of scenes like this, which zig when you expect them to zag or take the drama in an unexpected new direction. Gang stories are by now a cinematic trope. Audiences who gasped their way through The Godfather in the '70s are pretty immune to ultraviolent shocks on-screen. So though Blinders contains plenty of brutality and violence, it's not the meat of the story as it is in lesser gang dramas. The real drama is between the characters. Will Tommy forgive Freddie for knocking up his sister? What plans does Tommy's canny Aunt Polly have for her family members? What's Grace Burgess after, and does it have anything to do with the nightmarish flashbacks Tommy suffers every time he smokes opium? This rich and compelling drama is of unusually high quality. A lush treat for cerebral, adult viewers.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why so many television dramas follow gangs. Why are gangs such an area of enduring fascination for viewers? What other shows about criminal gangs can you name? How are they similar to or different from Peaky Blinders?

  • Tommy and other Peaky Blinders gang members fought in World War I. How has that affected their characters and their actions? What about their political leanings? Find out more about British soldiers in WWI and what types of battlefield conditions and violence they faced. Does this help you understand the characters of Peaky Blinders?

  • Can you think of any other criminal groups in history with a distinctive mode of dress? Why would a gang want to have a signature look or an accessory? Why would they want to dress alike?

TV Details

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